Lukaku - much maligned for his league form in recent weeks - became the club's record European goalscorer with seven goals when his penalty squirmed under 40-year-old goalkeeper Oleksandr Shovkovskiy with eight minutes remaining.

The Belgian impressed throughout, completing 86% of his passes and the visitors - who have never won in England - were often stretched by his runs into channels.

Martinez will hope this hard-earned win can provide a platform for just a second league victory of 2015 against Newcastle at Goodison on Sunday, while more optimistic fans may have one eye on a Europa League final appearance in Warsaw on 27 May.

Everton have made light work of sides well positioned in their own domestic leagues in the competition, including German side Wolfsburg and Swiss team Young Boys, but it was not until Lukaku became heavily involved after half an hour that they started to trouble Ukraine's league leaders.

Gusev's near-post volley after he lost marker Ross Barkley saw Kiev notch a crucial away goal and only when the sides meet again will it become clear if Everton's slow start proves decisive over two legs.

It was not until Lukaku shot wide from 40 yards with Shovkovskiy out of his goal did Everton find any momentum and his presence quickly grew in significance.

The 21-year-old saw a powerful volley graze the crossbar and showed strength beyond his years to fend off several challenges before passing for Naismith to curl home from 12 yards.

Everton did not look back and missed chances in the second half as they attacked the Gwladys Street End through Gareth Barry's miscue from 12 yards and Lukaku's own blunder from a Naismith flick in the six-yard box.

And their pressure was rewarded late on when substitute Leon Osman crossed against the hand of Silva, to allow Lukaku to net the goal his performance deserved from the spot.

Oleg Gusev's near-post run allowed him to volley a third Europa League goal of the campaign

Steven Naismith's leveller arrived as Everton gained momentum late in the opening half